In the May 21st primary, three Westmoreland County attorneys will vie for one Republican and one Democrat slot on the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas. The candidates running for judge are: Meagan Bilik DeFazio, William J. McCabe, and Harry F. Smail, Jr.

The Westmoreland Bar Association has taken steps to educate the public about the qualifications of local judicial candidates. In addition to co-hosting an upcoming Judicial Candidates Forum, the Westmoreland Bar Association polled its members about the overall qualification ratings of the Westmoreland County judicial candidates.

Three hundred seventy-eight participating members were asked to rate each candidate as: Recommended, Not Recommended or No Opinion. Two hundred twenty ballots were accurately returned to the WBA. The Greensburg accounting firm of Delisi, Keenan & Associates tabulated the results on April 22nd with the following raw data reported:

The Courts of Common Pleas are the general trial courts of Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts, along with appeals from the minor courts, appeals not exclusively assigned to another court, and matters involving children and families.

Voters are encouraged to attend a Judicial Candidates Forum where the three candidates will answer questions on Wednesday, May 8th at 7 pm at the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg at Ferguson Theater, 150 Finoli Drive, Greensburg. This event is free and open to the public. This special event is co-sponsored with the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce.